The story about taking a canoe from Bakersfield to the bay is interesting. That wouldn't be my first choice of adventures, but it sounds like an adventure nevertheless and would beat walking, especially under flood conditions. He must have had a strong desire to escape Bakersfield.

Yeah, the good old 'pineapple express.' We had a simialr even here in the last couple years (winter before last?) where we had what some called a 100 year rain. Neighborhoods were under 2 feet of water and it took weeks for it to drain, as the storm drain system was overwhelmed. When they get lined up in the Pacific, it just keeps coming. I hear they have identified an El Nino forming already for this year. Mayeb this will be the year.

Yeah, I remember the unusual rains October 2009. Flooding wasn't too bad that I recall near the bay area, but it was the only time I remember our cross country championship meet being postponed due to intense rain.

It's my understanding that the petitioned proposal would not require a new, magical water resource. The main water source would still be the same drainage, just recaptured in different ways and below Hetch Hetchy Valley. Am i understanding wrong?

markv wrote:It's my understanding that the petitioned proposal would not require a new, magical water resource. The main water source would still be the same drainage, just recaptured in different ways and below Hetch Hetchy Valley. Am i understanding wrong?

Rings a bell. There is a lot on the internet about it and there have been different proposals. Check the websites for the movement or for the Sierra Club if you want more details on what they are proposing. I couldn't open the link to the proposal from the article I posted. Money would still be an issue and would be a big issue in the near future. There are more pressing needs even just in the realm of water.

The National Park Service Report suggests restoration of the riverbed and return of wildlife etc would take only 3-5 years. IMHO, it would be spectacular watching it come back to life - admittedly it would take a while to regrow a mature forest

It would cause only slightly diminish the amount of Tuolumne River water that would flow to the Bay Area - but the replacement supply must be developed before restoration would begin

It would be possible to put a whole in the dam to let the river run under, eliminating the expense and mess of dam removal.

Sure, it will be a great long term legacy to restore Hetchy Hetchy. Obviously, short term funding, water, and political issues will require ongoing patience and persistance. It is interesting to follow the processes and strategies.